BattlefieldsVerulamium Sack 61 AD
Roman Period

Verulamium Sack 61 AD

61
Hertfordshire, England
Also known as: Boudiccan Destruction of St Albans · Sack of Verulamium
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Hertfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Catuvellauni of Verulamium
VS
Victor
Boudiccan forces
Outcome
Town burned; population fled or killed; Boudiccan army moved north
The Battle

History & Significance

Verulamium was the third town destroyed in the revolt, after Camulodunum and Londinium. As the civitas capital of the Catuvellauni — who were seen as Roman collaborators — it was targeted by the Iceni-led forces. Tacitus records that Suetonius Paulinus abandoned the town to its fate, being unable to garrison it on his retreat northward. Archaeological evidence shows a thick fire horizon dating to this period. The town was subsequently rebuilt on a larger scale.

Casualties & Losses

Tacitus groups Verulamium with other towns, estimating 70,000 killed across all three sacked cities

Forces Involved

Boudiccan coalition: Iceni, Trinovantes and allied tribes; town population largely Catuvellauni civilians

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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